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The ARS/Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest (TAMPA) is set to take place Friday, February 1st through Saturday, February 2nd at Berkeley Preparatory in Tampa, Florida.

The multi-city basketball tournament (D.C., Dallas, Memphis, Tampa) is designed to match National recognized basketball programs against some of the area’s top teams. The ARS/Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest also serves as a fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital- in their initiative to give back – “because this is much bigger than basketball.”

This year, ESPNU will televise one of the most anticipated matchups of the year, Oak Hill Academy (VA) vs Montverde (FL) at 4:30pm Eastern Time.

“The tournament is a unique opportunity for people to see the nation’s best talent in a series of games- Travis Haddock (Event Director). With over 20 ESPN ranked high school prospects gearing up to play this weekend in Tampa, I would have to admit, this is definitely a lineup of the Nation’s best.

2018 Cowtown Tip-Off hosted by North Crowley Basketball

Dallas/Ft. Worth is gearing up for yet another exciting weekend of high level hoops with the 2018 Cowtown Tip-off taking place Friday, November 9th & Saturday, November 10th at North Crowley High School. The event kicks off the high school basketball season with a lineup of top boys basketball programs, elite players, fire matchups, and the implementation of a shot clock.

The ARS/Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest returns to Dallas loaded with powerhouse programs who will go up against some of the top high school basketball teams in the D/FW area. This competitive multi-city high school basketball tournament has yet to disappoint, living up to its much anticipated hype….BUT this year, they’re taking this thing to a whole new level!

Elite 14 Showcase Announces Increased Field and a Friday Night Addition to the Event

Elite 14 Showcase Announces an Increased field of 40 Top Basketball Teams, Along with Implementing a Friday Night Prep Showcase Featuring 10 National Programs

DALLAS, TX, September 18th, 2018 – The 14th Annual Elite 14 Showcase kicks off the 2018 NCAA November evaluation period with a full weekend of action-packed high school basketball beginning Friday, November 2 through Saturday, November 3rd. The event will take place at Denton Guyer High School on Friday night and at Hirschi High School in Wichita Falls, TX all day Saturday.

This invitational has established itself throughout the years as a centerpiece of the nation’s best collection of high school teams and individual talent anticipating the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of college coaches, national and local media, NBA scouts, family and fan enthusiasts. What started out as a rivalry showcase thirteen years ago with initially 14 teams, hence the name, from Texas and Oklahoma, has now grown to 40 top teams from across the nation.

“We are excited about the growth of “Elite 14 Showcase” and thankful for the support of everyone who has helped make this event a success each year. It is our mission to continue providing student-athletes a national platform to perform on in hopes of garnering exposure and furthering their basketball initiatives,” said Coach Hedge Elite 14 Showcase Director and Hirschi High School Head Basketball Coach.

In an effort to build and cultivate the high school basketball experience, The Elite 14 Showcase announced a Friday night addition to the event: “Elite 14 Prep Showcase” featuring 10 National programs going head-to-head in key matchups.

Traditionally, Saturday will remain the same: a full day of exciting hoops at Hirschi High School along with the best home cooked hospitality room.

Layups2Standup Announces 3rd Annual “Why Not?? Comedy Show”

Friday, August 17, 2018 (Oklahoma City, OK) – Layups2Standup, an innovative brand that channels the love of basketball and comedy to create community events, has announced the return of the “Why Not?? Comedy Show” hosted by renowned comedian Demetrius “Juice” Deason and NBA MVP Russell Westbrook. The event will take place Friday, October 26th at the iconic Tower Theater in Oklahoma City.

The inaugural “Why Not?? Comedy Show” was created to become a staple event in Oklahoma, kicking off the Thunder’s NBA season. In only its third year, the “Why Not?? Comedy Show” has emerged as one of the most anticipated events of the year. In addition to comedy and cocktails, proceeds of the comedy show will benefit Regional Food Bank Oklahoma – Food For Kids Backpack Program. Through the Backpack Program, the Regional Food Bank delivers pre-assembled food sacks and backpacks to participating schools at no cost to the school or the child. The food bags contain approximately 10 different purchased foods designed to provide nutrition and calories for chronically hungry children over the weekend.

“We are excited to be back, kicking off another Thunder season with the City of Oklahoma at the 3rd Annual “Why Not?? Comedy Show”- but I must say the nonprofit that we went with this year has really hit home,” said Comedian and Founder of Layups2standup Demetrius Deason. “It brings great joy to know our initiative in partnership with the Regional Food Bank Oklahoma plans to feed 180 kids through the Backpack Program, over a year time span…And that is what Layups2Standup, myself, and Russell are about!”

This years’ event is slated to be bigger and better, cultivating an evening of laughter and premiere entertainment with a diverse lineup of established and emerging comedic talent. With a star-studded red carpet lined with celebrities, professional athletes, corporate partners, and the “who’s who” of Oklahoma, “WHY NOT?” attend.

About Regional Food Bank Oklahoma – Food for Kids Programs
One in four children in Oklahoma has inconsistent access to healthy food. The Regional Food Bank is working hard to end childhood hunger in Oklahoma by providing chronically hungry children with the meals they need today to help them thrive. More than 37 percent of the Regional Food Bank’s emergency food recipients are children. Last year, the Regional Food Bank saw a dramatic increase in the need for food assistance. For the first time ever, nearly 44,000 chronically hungry children were served through the Food for Kids Programs, a 17 percent increase.
Because there is a critical connection between childhood nutrition and cognitive and physical development, even nutritional deficiencies of a relatively short-term nature can negatively impact a child’s health, behavior and the ability to concentrate and perform complex tasks. Going without food can cause behavioral and psychological effects such as depression, aggression, anxiety and poor social skills in children. Food is the most essential school supply. Hungry children cannot learn.

The Regional Food Bank serves children directly through four programs in its Food for Kids Programs: Backpack Program, Kids Cafe, Summer Feeding and School Pantries. For more information: Regional Food Bank OKC Food For Kids

For the fifth consecutive year, NBA All-Star ​John Wall ​and the ​John Wall Family Foundation (JWFF) ​will host a Back to School Backpack Giveaway on Aug. 18. In the last four years, the JWFF has donated over 2,500 backpacks to students in the Raleigh, NC area. The foundation has partnered with the ​Salvation Army of Wake County​ to host this​ ​year’s event in Raleigh, NC. The event will be from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM​. 1,000 students from kindergarten through twelfth grade will receive ​backpacks filled with​ ​school supplies, such as pencils, notebooks, folders. Backpacks and t-shirts​ are ​courtesy​ ​of ​adidas​.
“We are proud to once again partner with the John Wall Family Foundation and would like to thank John and his foundation for their donation of book bags to our children,” said Sarah Ruiz, Program Director for the Salvation Army’s Community Center. “Our Children can return to school prepared to have a successful school year.”

This year, the foundation has partnered with local businesses who have made in-kind donations to help support the Back to School Block Party. They are ​Bodyarmor, ​ ​Dometic, EA Sports, and KIND.

JWFF worked with various non profit organizations to select recipients for the Back to School giveaway. ​ Backpack recipients must have a ticket to receive a backpack and be escorted by a chaperone.

MEDIA: John Wall’s media availability will be at 10:30 a.m. Photo and video opportunities available. All media requests must be submitted to Candyce Jones at candyce@anchoredconsulting.com or 301.693.8242.

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About The John Wall Family Foundation: The John Wall Family Foundation strives to improve the quality of life for underserved families and to impact the lives of young minority males through mentorship, education and physical activity.

What is Marketing?
There are variations when defining what Marketing because it is so BROAD, but in this blog, we’re defining Marketing as creating, communicating, capturing and sustaining value for your organization or company. It’s a need that every business must have to foster growth and better yet, value.

Why does my company/organization need Marketing?
1. Capture the attention of your target market
2. Facilitate your target market’s purchasing decision
3. And bottom line, it is the cornerstone of every successful business

The first step in Marketing your business is developing a Marketing Plan. Consider this your guide to understanding your businesses’ goals, objectives, target audience, etc. This plan will allow you to create strategic ways that resonate with your target audience and set you apart from the others.

In developing a Marketing Plan consider these components:A. Situation Analysis– This is your company/organization’s current situation. What is your company about? where do you stand financially? what are your goals? Who are your competitors?B. Target Market- Who are you trying to reach? What do they value? What are their needs?C. Action Plan-How are you going to reach your target audience? What marketing strategies are you going to implement to help you reach them, grab their attention, influence their decision in using your product or services?D. Evaluation Plan– Once you have created and implemented your strategy, monitor its effectiveness and make any adjustments required to maintain its success.

• My strategy to lose the 10lbs is to work out 5x a week and
Cut out all carbs.
• My evaluation plan is to create a journal of my daily intake and workouts. Every Sunday throughout the month, I’ll weigh myself, write it down in my journal and track the progression of my weight loss

Marketing Strategy: Your strategy is how you’re going to accomplish the goals in your plan. Your strategy promotes and communicates the benefits of your business. What differentiates your company from your competitors. Basic examples below.

A. Social Media Marketing– Free platforms that millions of people utilize each day. Develop a social media plan that targets your audience.B. Advertisement – Paid Ad placementC. Creative Content – Story telling through graphics and video’s, infomercials,D. Public Relations (PR)- News stories, blog write-ups, interviews in publications, on radio & television about your company/organization.E. Effective Blogging- This strategy has so much impact if used to its fullest capacity.F. Leverage Influencers– Influencers are people who have a voice in the market you’re trying to reach. Use their platforms to communicate your message. Some companies create what we call “Brand Ambassador Programs”.G. Partnering with a charity or non-profit. This is considered cause-related marketing. It allows your company/organization to become visible to the public in a positive light.H. Cross Marketing/ Cross Promoting- Partnering with companies that share the same vision but are in two different lanes.

I can go on and on about strategic marketing. It’s about being creative, innovative, and strategic. Put yourself in your consumers shoes, how would you like to be pitched? What are some things you would appreciate and like, if you were on the other side? Remember this, Branding is the foundation, and Marketing is the core!

My next couple of blogs will directly highlight in detail some of these marketing strategies from point A-Z, starting with Social Media Marketing- one of the most powerful marketing tools known in this era of technology.